In Brief: Costa’s New Look, Ritz-Carlton itineraries, and more….

Cruise News – Apr. 13, 2018

To mark the line’s 70th anniversary, Costa Cruises is introducing new livery – in the form of a stylized Italian flag curving underneath the ship’s name in larger, more decorative lettering. The new look has already debuted on Costa Mediterranea, and will soon be seen on all Costa’s ships at sea as well as the two under construction, Costa Venezia and Costa Smerelda.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has unveiled the itineraries for their inaugural season. The lineup, based around the ideas of freedom and flexibility, is full of relaxed, immersive experiences carefully curated for destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Canada and New England, especially smaller ports like Ibiza, Helsingborg, and Tadoussac. Guests can select categories of interests including Iconic Sights, Stirring the Senses, Cultural Connections, Active Explorations and Epicurean Experiences.

Asian operator Dream Cruises has teamed up with renowned century-old tea house Nakamura Tokichi Honten to create the world’s first matcha theme cruise, celebrating the popular powdered green tea. Passengers aboard World Dream will enjoy steeped matcha and matcha lattes along with authentic Okinawan delicacies, a kimono masterclass, awamori tasting, and a meet-and-greet with an Okinawan celebrity illustrator, as well as classes on the history of matcha, blind tea-tastings, and dishes made with premium green tea.

Small-ship operator Peregrine Adventures is embracing eco-friendly travel with a ban on all single-use plastics (such as straws, cups, and water bottles) on board its adventure cruising charter trips, providing passengers with reusable cloth bags and refillable water bottles. Additionally, 90 percent of the food will now be locally sourced, a commitment that will support the economies of the smaller ports each tour visits, while offering guests the most authentic flavors from each destination.

The three-masted windjammer Sea Cloud II is under command of a new captain, the first Canadian woman to serve as captain of a passenger cruise ship. Kathryn Whittaker started with Sea Cloud Cruises as a deck hand in 1996, then served aboard other sailing vessels before becoming captain of Bytown Brigantine’s STV Fair Jeanne for five years, followed by six years as chief officer aboard Sea Cloud II. Says Daniel Schäfer, Managing Director of Sea Cloud Cruises: “In a very male dominated industry, we are thrilled to have a very qualified woman for the highest position on a ship.”